Electronic modulating device

ABSTRACT

An electronic modulating device is provided. The electronic modulating device includes a substrate, a plurality of first modulating electrodes disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of second modulating electrodes disposed on the substrate. The area of one of the first modulating electrodes is greater than the area of one of the second modulating electrodes. The ratio of the number of first modulating electrodes to the number of second modulating electrodes is in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic modulating device, andin particular it relates to an electronic modulating device thatincludes modulating electrodes with different areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Electronic products that include a display panel, such as smartphones,tablets, notebooks, monitors, and TVs, have become indispensablenecessities in modem society. With the flourishing development of suchportable electronic products, consumers have high expectations regardingthe quality, functionality, and price of such products. Some of theelectronic products are provided with communications capabilities suchas antenna devices.

Although existing electronic modulating devices have been adequate fortheir intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in allrespects. Therefore, up to the present, there are still some problemsthat can be improved in the technology behind electronic modulatingdevices.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic modulating device is provided. The electronic device includesa substrate, a plurality of first modulating electrodes disposed on thesubstrate, and a plurality of second modulating electrodes disposed onthe substrate. The area of one of the first modulating electrodes isgreater than the area of one of the second modulating electrodes. Theratio of the number of first modulating electrodes to the number ofsecond modulating electrodes is in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.

In accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic modulating device is provided. The electronic device includesa substrate, a plurality of first modulating electrodes disposed on thesubstrate, a plurality of second modulating electrodes disposed on thesubstrate, and a common electrode disposed opposite to the plurality offirst modulating electrodes and the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes. The first overlapping area formed between the commonelectrode and one of the first modulating electrodes is different fromthe second overlapping area formed between the common electrode and oneof the second modulating electrodes from a top-view perspective. Theratio of the number of first modulating electrodes to the number ofsecond modulating electrodes is in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more fully understood by reading the subsequentdetailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram showing the relationship between the ratioof the number of first modulating electrodes to the number of secondmodulating electrodes and the energy difference of the main lobe and theside lobe of a radiation pattern provided by the electronic modulatingdevice in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate examples of the definition of thelongitudinal direction of the modulating electrode in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating devicein accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top-view diagram of an electronic modulatingdevice in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate cross-sectional views of the electronicmodulating device along line segment A-A′ in FIG. 1 in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic modulatingdevice along line segment A-A′ in FIG. 1 in accordance with some otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12B illustrates a top-view diagram of the electronic modulatingdevice shown in FIG. 12A in accordance with some other embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electronic modulating device of the present disclosure is describedin detail in the following description. In the following detaileddescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details andembodiments are set forth in order to provide a thorough understandingof the present disclosure. The specific elements and configurationsdescribed in the following detailed description are set forth in orderto clearly describe the present disclosure. It will be apparent,however, that the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are used merelyfor the purpose of illustration, and the concept of the presentdisclosure may be embodied in various forms without being limited tothose exemplary embodiments. In addition, the drawings of differentembodiments may use like and/or corresponding numerals to denote likeand/or corresponding elements in order to clearly describe the presentdisclosure. However, the use of like and/or corresponding numerals inthe drawings of different embodiments does not suggest any correlationbetween different embodiments. It should be noted that the elements ordevices in the drawings of the present disclosure may be present in anyform or configuration known to those with ordinary skill in the art. Inaddition, the expressions “a layer overlying another layer”, “a layer isdisposed above another layer”, “a layer is disposed on another layer”and “a layer is disposed over another layer” may indicate that the layeris in direct contact with the other layer, or that the layer is not indirect contact with the other layer, there being one or moreintermediate layers disposed between the layer and the other layer.

In addition, in this specification, relative expressions are used. Forexample, “lower”, bottom”, “higher” or “top” are used to describe theposition of one element relative to another. It should be appreciatedthat if a device is flipped upside down, an element that is “lower” willbecome an element that is “higher”.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, thirdetc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers, portions and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers, portions and/or sections should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component,region, layer, portion or section from another element, component,region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer,portion or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer, portion or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that this description of the exemplaryembodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, which are to be considered part of the entire writtendescription. The drawings are not drawn to scale. In addition,structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify thedrawing.

The terms “about” and “substantially” typically mean +/−10% of thestated value, more typically mean +/−5% of the stated value, moretypically +/−3% of the stated value, more typically +/−2% of the statedvalue, more typically +/−1% of the stated value and even more typically+/−0.5% of the stated value. The stated value of the present disclosureis an approximate value. When there is no specific description, thestated value includes the meaning of “about” or “substantially”.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be appreciated that,in each case, the term, which is defined in a commonly used dictionary,should be interpreted as having a meaning that conforms to the relativeskills of the present disclosure and the background or the context ofthe present disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal manner unless so defined.

In addition, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, termsconcerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and“interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are securedor attached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments orrelationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

In addition, the term “longitudinal direction” is defined as thedirection along or parallel to the long axis of an object. The long axisis defined as a line extending through the center of an objectlengthwise. For an elongated or oblong object, the long axis correspondsmost nearly to its greatest dimension lengthwise. For an object thatdoes not have a definite long axis, the long axis is referred to thelong axis of a smallest rectangle that can encompass the object.

In addition, the phrase “in a range from a first value to a secondvalue” indicates that the range includes the first value, the secondvalue, and other values between them.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic modulating device may include, but is not limited to, adisplay device (including a touch display device), a communicationdevice, or a sensing device. In accordance with some embodiments, theelectronic modulating device may be arranged in adjacency to form atiled electronic device. Specifically, the display device may include,but is not limited to, a liquid-crystal display (LCD). In accordancewith some embodiments, the communication device may include aliquid-crystal molecule-modulating device such as an antenna device.

FIG. 1 is a top-view diagram of an electronic modulating device 10 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. It should beunderstood that some of the components of the electronic modulatingdevice 10 such as the top substrate, the supporting elements (e.g.,shown in FIG. 11A) are omitted in FIG. 1 for clarity. In addition, itshould be understood that additional features may be added to theelectronic modulating device in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic modulating device 10 may include asubstrate 102. The electronic modulating device 10 may also include asubstrate 202 (as shown in FIG. 11A) disposed opposite to the substrate102. In some embodiments, the material of the substrate 102 and thematerial of the substrate 202 each may include, but is not limited to,glass, quartz, sapphire, silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), polycarbonate(PC), polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), rubbers, glassfibers, other polymer materials, any other suitable substrate material,or a combination thereof.

The electronic modulating device 10 may further include a plurality oftint modulating units 104A and a plurality of second modulating units104B disposed on the substrate 102. The first modulating unit 104A mayinclude a first modulating electrode 106 a and a first driving element108 a, and the first modulating electrode 106 a may be electricallyconnected to the first driving element 108 a. The second modulating unit104B may include a second modulating electrode 106 b and a seconddriving element 108 b, and the second modulating electrode 106 b may beelectrically connected to the second driving element 108 b. In someexamples, the first modulating electrode 106 a and the second modulatingelectrode 106 b may serve as pixel electrodes,

In addition, the materials of the first modulating electrode 106 a andthe second modulating electrode 106 b may include conductive materials.In some embodiments, the conductive material may include, but are notlimited to, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, tungsten, gold, chromium,nickel, platinum, titanium, silver, copper alloys, aluminum alloys,molybdenum alloys, tungsten alloys, gold alloys, chromium alloys, nickelalloys, platinum alloys, titanium alloys, silver alloys, any othersuitable conductive materials (e.g. carbon nano-tubes), or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the materials of the first modulatingelectrode 106 a and the second modulating electrode 106 b may includetransparent conductive materials. For example, the transparentconductive material may include, but is not limited to, indium tin oxide(ITO), tin oxide (SnO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zincoxide (IGZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), any other suitabletransparent conductive materials, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the materials of the first modulating electrode 106 a andthe second modulating electrode 106 b may include conductive polymers.For example, the conductive polymers include poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS),polythiophenes (PT), polypyrrole (PPY), or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),

The electronic modulating device 10 may further include signal lines 1disposed on the substrate 102. The signal lines 110 may be electricallyconnected to at least one of the first driving elements 108 a and atleast one of the second driving elements 108 b. In addition, the signallines 110 may be electrically connected to at least one of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and at least one of the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b. The first driving elements 108 a and the seconddriving elements 108 b may be used to control the voltages applied tothe first modulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b respectively.

The first driving elements 108 a and the second driving elements 108 bmay include an active driving element, a passive driving element and/ora combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, at least one of the firstdriving elements 108 a and the second driving elements 108 b may be anactive driving element such as a thin-film transistors (TFT) inaccordance with some embodiments. More specifically, the first drivingelement 108 a and the second driving element 108 b each may include asource electrode S, a drain electrode D and a gate electrode G and achannel region C. The source electrode S and the drain electrode D maybe disposed on opposite sides of the gate electrode G. The channelregion C may be disposed between the source electrode S and the drainelectrode D. In addition, the drain electrodes D of the first drivingelement 108 a and the second driving element 108 b may be electricallyconnected to the first modulating electrodes 106 a and the secondmodulating electrodes 106 b respectively.

In addition, the signal lines 110 may include data lines 110 b and scanlines 110 a in accordance with some embodiments, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. The signal lines max include otherconductive lines. The extending direction of at least one of the datalines 110 b and the extending direction of at least one of the scanlines 110 a may be different. For example, the data line 110 and thescan line 110 a may be arranged substantially perpendicular to eachother. The data line 110 b and the scan line 110 a may be electricallyconnected to the source electrode S and the gate electrode G of thefirst driving elements 108 a. respectively. Similarly, the data line 110b and the scan line 110 a may be electrically connected to the sourceelectrode S and the gate electrode G of the second driving elements 108b respectively.

It should be understood that although the first driving elements 108 aand the second driving elements 108 b are active driving elements in theembodiments illustrated in figures, the first driving elements 108 a andthe second driving elements 108 b may be passive driving elements, whichmay be controlled by an IC or a microchip, in accordance with some otherembodiments. Moreover, although each modulating electrode is controlledby one driving element in the embodiments illustrated in figures, morethan one modulating electrodes may be controlled by the same drivingelement in accordance with some other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the area A₁ of the first modulating electrode 106 amay be greater than the area A₂ of the second modulating electrode 106 bin accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, the electronicmodulating device 10 may include the modulating electrodes of differentareas (e.g. the first modulating electrode 106 a and the secondmodulating electrode 106 b) so that the performance variation of theelectronic modulating device 10 in different angles may be reduced inaccordance with some embodiments. Moreover, the modulating electrodeswith different areas may allow the electronic modulating device 10 tomodulate the electromagnetic wave in different ranges of radio frequencyin accordance with some embodiments. For example, the electronicmodulating device 10 may modulate the electromagnetic wave of radiofrequency in a range from about 1 G Hz to about 100 T Hz in accordancewith some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the area A₁ of the tint modulatingelectrode 106 a to the area A₂ of the second modulating electrode 106 bmay be in a range from about 1.2 to about 100, such as 2, 10, 40, or 80,or in a range from about 1.3 to about 50. If the ratio of the area. A₁of the first modulating electrode 106 a to the area A₂ of the secondmodulating electrode 106 b is too small (e.g., less than about 1.2), theperformance variation of the electronic modulating device 10 indifferent angles may not be reduced effectively. On the other hand, ifthe ratio of the area A₁ of the first modulating electrode 106 a to thearea A₂ of the second modulating electrode 106 b is too great (e.g.,greater than about 100), the frequency difference of electromagneticwave modulated by the electronic modulating device 10 may be too greatto be applicable for its intended use.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the first modulating electrodes 106 aand the second modulating electrodes 106 b are arranged alternately inaccordance with some embodiments. In other words, one of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a may be disposed between two of the secondmodulating electrodes 106 b. In some examples, a portion of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and a portion of the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b may be alternately arranged while the other portion ofthe first modulating electrodes 106 a and the other portion of thesecond modulating electrodes 106 b are not. Moreover, the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 bmay correspond to two different radio frequencies respectively inaccordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, both of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 bmay be designed to receive and/or transmit the electromagnetic wave.Furthermore, the electronic modulating device 10 includes N₁ firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and N₂ second modulating electrodes 106 b,wherein N₁ and N₂ are the numbers of the first modulating electrodes 106a and the second modulating electrodes 106 b respectively, in accordancewith some embodiments. That is, the numbers of the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 b may be N₁and N₂ respectively. Refer to FIG. 2, the X axis is referred to thelogarithm value of the ratio of the N₁ first modulating electrodes 106 ato the N₂ second modulating electrodes 106 b (i.e. log (N₁/N₂)), and theY axis is referred to the difference between the energy E₁ of a mainlobe and the energy E₂ of a side lobe of a radiation pattern (i.e.E₁−E₂, and the unit is decibel (dB)).

As described above, the electronic modulating device 10 may provide aradiation pattern, and the radiation pattern includes a main lobe and aside lobe. In some embodiments, the difference between the energy E₁ ofthe main lobe and the energy E₂ of the side lobe of the radiationpattern is greater than or equal to 10 dB so that the electronicmodulating device 10 may be applicable as an antenna device. In otherwords, the difference of gain level between the main lobe and the sidelobe is greater than or equal to 10 dB in accordance with someembodiments.

In addition, the ratio of the number N₁ to the number N₂ is in a rangefrom about 0.5 to about 2.0, such as 0.6. 1.0, 1.2 or 1.7, or in a rangefrom about 0.75 to about 1.35 in accordance with some embodiments. Asshown in FIG. 2, the logarithm value of the ratio of N₁ to N₂ may bemaintained within a range (e.g., from about −0.301 to about 0.301, i.e.from about log 1/2 to about log 2) so that the difference of gain levelbetween the main lobe and the side lobe can meet the requirement ofbeing greater than or equal to 10 dB. Accordingly, the ratio of N₁ to N₂may be maintained within a range from about 0.5 to about 2.0 so that theelectronic modulating device 10 may be applicable as an antenna device.100431 Moreover, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the number of the modulating electrodes e.g., the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and/or 106 b) may be referred to the numberof the first modulating electrodes 106 a or the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b that are included in a square region having the sidelength of 20 centimeter (cm), 10 cm, or 5 cm. Specifically, the squareregion can be used as a basis for measurement for determination of thenumber of the first modulating electrodes 106 a or the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b. Moreover, when a first modulating electrode 106 a or asecond modulating electrode 106 b is incomplete within the square regionfor measurement, the first modulating electrode 106 a or the secondmodulating electrode 106 b may not be counted in the number of firstmodulating electrodes 106 a or second modulating electrodes 106 b.

Next, refer to FIG. 3, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 20 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In should be understood that the same or similarcomponents or elements in the context of the descriptions provided aboveand below are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. Thematerials, manufacturing methods and functions of these components orelements are the same or similar to those described above, and thus willnot be repeated herein. The electronic modulating device 20 is similarto the electronic modulating device 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.3, the electronic modulating device 20 also includes a plurality offirst modulating electrodes 106 a and a plurality of second modulatingelectrodes 106 b disposed on the substrate 102. As described above, thefirst modulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes106 b may be alternately arranged. In addition, the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 b may bearranged to extend along the same or different directions. In someexamples, the directions may be longitudinal directions of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 b.

As describe in the above context, the term “longitudinal direction” isdefined as the direction along or parallel to the long axis of anobject. The long axis may be defined as a line extending through anobject lengthwise. For an elongated or oblong object, the long axis maycorrespond to its greatest dimension lengthwise. For example, as shownin FIG. 4A, in the embodiments where the first modulating electrode 106a has a rectangular shape, the longitudinal direction L of the firstmodulating electrode 106 a may be defined as the direction parallel to along axis LX of the rectangle. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, in theembodiments where the first modulating electrode 106 a has an irregularshape, the longitudinal direction L of the first modulating electrode106 a may be defined as the direction that is parallel to a long axisLX′ of a smallest rectangle RT that is virtual and can encircle thefirst modulating electrode 106 a. In some embodiments, the smallestrectangle RT that can encircle the first modulating electrode 106 a maybe defined by using software such as OpenCV. Moreover, imagebinarization process may be performed on the image of the firstmodulating electrode 106 a before the smallest rectangle RT is defined,in accordance with some embodiments.

Furthermore, in some other embodiments where the first modulatingelectrode 106 a has a square shape, the longitudinal direction L of thefirst modulating electrode 106 a may be defined as the direction that isparallel to a side of the square that forms a smaller included anglewith the long axis of the drain electrode of the driving element. Itshould be understood that the above embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4Btake the first modulating electrode 106 a as an example to explain thedefinition of longitudinal direction, and other modulating electrodesalso can be defined in the same way.

Again, referring to FIG. 3, the first modulating electrodes 106 a andthe second modulating electrodes 106 b may extend along the same or asimilar longitudinal direction. Specifically, the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a may extend along a first longitudinal direction L₁ andthe second modulating electrodes 106 b may extend along a secondlongitudinal direction L₂. In this embodiment, the first longitudinaldirection L₁ is substantially the same as the second longitudinaldirection L₂. In some other embodiments, the first longitudinaldirection L₁ may be different from the second longitudinal direction L₂.For example, an angle θ₁ (not illustrated) between the firstlongitudinal direction L₁ and the second longitudinal direction L₂ maybe in a range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees in accordancewith some embodiments. In some embodiments, the angle e₁ (notillustrated) between the first longitudinal direction L₁ and the secondlongitudinal direction L₂ may include, but is not limited to, 15degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees.

In addition, the first modulating electrodes 106 a may all extend alongthe same or a similar longitudinal direction. For example, in thisembodiment, the first modulating electrodes 106 a all extend along thefirst longitudinal direction L₁. Similarly, the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b may all extend along the same or a similar longitudinaldirection (e.g., the second longitudinal direction L₂). However, in someother embodiments, not all of the first modulating electrodes 106 aextend along the same or a similar longitudinal direction. In someembodiments, some of the first modulating electrodes 106 a extend alongthe same longitudinal direction while some of the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a extend along different longitudinal direction(s). Forexample, as shown in the embodiments in FIG. 1, some of the firstmodulating electrodes 106 a extend along the first longitudinaldirection L₁, while some of the first modulating electrodes 106 a extendalong a third longitudinal direction L₃, and the first longitudinaldirection L₁ is different from the third longitudinal direction L₃. Forexample, an angle θ₂ between the first longitudinal direction L₁ and thethird longitudinal direction L₃ may be in a range from about 5 degreesto about 175 degrees in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the angle θ₂ between the first longitudinal direction L₁and the third longitudinal 1 direction L₃ may include, but is notlimited to, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees,90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees.Moreover, it should be understood that although the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a extend along two different longitudinal directions asillustrated in FIG. 1, the first modulating electrodes 106 a may extendalong more than two directions in accordance with some otherembodiments.

Similarly, in some embodiments, not all of the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b extend along the same or a similar longitudinaldirection. In some embodiments, some of the second modulating electrodes106 b extend along the same longitudinal direction while some of thesecond modulating electrodes 106 b extend along different longitudinaldirection(s). For example, as shown in the embodiments in FIG. 1, someof the second modulating electrodes 106 b extend along the secondlongitudinal direction L₂, while some of the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b extend along a fourth longitudinal direction L₄, andthe second longitudinal direction L₂ is different from the fourthlongitudinal direction L₄. For example, an angle θ₃ between the secondlongitudinal direction L₂ d the fourth longitudinal direction L₄ may bein a range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees in accordance withsome embodiments. In some embodiments, the angle θ₃ between the secondlongitudinal direction L₂ and the fourth longitudinal direction L₄ mayinclude, but is not limited to, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees,or 160 degrees. Moreover, it should be understood that although thesecond modulating electrodes 106 b extend along two differentlongitudinal directions as illustrated in FIG. 1, the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b may extend along more than two directions in accordancewith some other embodiments.

Next, refer to FIG. 5, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 30 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic modulating device30 also includes a plurality of first modulating electrodes 106 a and aplurality of second modulating electrodes 106 b disposed on thesubstrate 102. As described above, the first modulating electrodes 106 aand the second modulating electrodes 106 b may be alternately arranged.In this embodiment, four first modulating electrodes 106 a may beconsidered as a first unit U₁, and four second modulating electrodes 106b may be considered as a second unit U₂. The first unit U₁ and thesecond unit U₂ may alternate in their arrangement. In this embodiment,the first modulating electrodes 106 a all extend along the firstlongitudinal direction L₁, and the second modulating electrodes 106 ball extend along the second longitudinal direction L₂. Moreover, thefirst longitudinal direction L₁ is different from the secondlongitudinal direction L₂. In some examples, the first unit U₁ mayinclude m first modulating electrodes 106 a, and the second unit U₂ mayinclude n second modulating electrodes 106 b, wherein m and n arepositive integers. In examples, m may be the same as or different fromn.

Next, refer to FIG. 6, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 40 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In this embodiment, two first modulating electrodes106 a and two second modulating electrodes 106 b may be considered as afirst unit U₁ or a second unit U₂. In this embodiment, two firstmodulating electrodes 106 a and two second modulating electrodes 106 bof the first unit I ₁ or a second unit U₂ extend along the samelongitudinal direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, the firstunit U₁ includes two first modulating electrodes 106 a extending alongthe first longitudinal direction L₁ and two second modulating electrodes106 b extending along the second longitudinal direction L₂, while thefirst longitudinal direction L₁ is substantially the same as the secondlongitudinal direction L₂. The second unit U₂ includes two firstmodulating electrodes 106 a extending along the third longitudinaldirection L₃ and two second modulating electrodes 106 b extending alongthe fourth longitudinal direction L₄, while the third longitudinaldirection L₃ is substantially the same as the fourth longitudinaldirection L₄. In addition, the third longitudinal direction L₃ isdifferent from the first longitudinal direction L₁. The fourthlongitudinal direction L₄ is different from the second longitudinaldirection L₂ Similarly, in this embodiment, the first unit U₁ and thesecond unit U, may be alternately arranged. In some examples, the firstlongitudinal direction L₁ may be different from the second longitudinaldirection L₂. The third longitudinal direction L₃ may be different fromthe fourth longitudinal direction L₄. The angle between any two of thefirst longitudinal direction L₁, the second longitudinal direction L₂,the third longitudinal direction L₃ and the fourth longitudinaldirection L₄ may be in a range from about 5 degrees to about 175degrees, such as 30 degrees, 60 degrees, or 120 degrees.

Next, refer to FIG. 7, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 50 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The electronic modulating device 50 shown in FIG. 7is similar to the electronic modulating device 40 shown in FIG. 6. Thedifference between the electronic modulating device 50 and theelectronic modulating device 40 is that the modulating electrodes of thefirst unit U₁ and/or the second unit U₂ are arranged in differentmanners. Specifically, one first modulating electrode 106 a is disposedbetween two second modulating electrodes 106 b in the Y direction and/orthe X direction. It should be understood that although both the firstunit U₁ and the second unit U₂ as described in the above embodimentsinclude four modulating electrodes, the number of modulating electrodesof the unit can be adjusted according to need in some other embodiments.In addition, the arrangement of the first modulating electrodes 106 aand one second modulating electrodes 106 b of the unit can be adjustedaccording to need in some other embodiments.

Next, refer to FIG. 8, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 60 in accordance With some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The electronic modulating device 60 also includes aplurality of first modulating units 104A and a plurality of secondmodulating units 104B disposed on the substrate 102. Moreover, theelectronic modulating device 60 further includes a plurality of thirdmodulating units 104C disposed on the substrate 102. As shown in FIG. 8,the third modulating units 104C includes a third modulating electrode106 c and a third driving element 108 c, and the third modulatingelectrode 106 c may be electrically connected to the third drivingelement 108 c. Moreover, the third driving element 108 c may beelectrically connected to the signal line 110. In addition, at least aportion of the first modulating electrodes 106 a, the second modulatingelectrodes 106 b and the third modulating electrodes 106 c may bealternately arranged in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the area A₃ of the third modulating electrode 106 cis less than at least one of the area A₁ of the first modulatingelectrode 106 a and the area A₂ of the first modulating electrode 106 b.In some embodiments, the ratio of the area A₁ of the first modulatingelectrode 106 a to the area A₃ of the third modulating electrode 106 cis in a range from about 1.2 to about 100, such as 5, 20, 50 or 80. Inother words, the ratio of the area of the modulating electrode havingthe greatest dimension to the area of the modulating electrode havingthe smallest dimension is in a range from about 1.2 to about 100.

Furthermore, the electronic modulating device 60 includes N₁ firstmodulating electrodes 106 a, N₂ second modulating electrodes 106 b andN₃ third modulating electrode 106 c in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, the ratio of N₁ first modulating electrodes 106 ato N₃ third modulating electrodes 106 c (i.e. N₁/N₃) is in a range fromabout 0.5 to about 2.0, such as 1.2 or 1.5.

Next, refer to FIG. 9, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 70 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The electronic modulating device 70 shown in FIG. 9is similar to the electronic modulating device 60 shown in FIG. 8. Thedifference between electronic modulating device 70 and electronicmodulating device 60 is that the first modulating electrode 106 a, thesecond modulating electrode 106 b and the third modulating electrode 106c extend along different longitudinal directions in electronicmodulating device 70.

Specifically, the first modulating electrode 106 a extends along thefirst longitudinal direction L₁, the second modulating electrode 106 bextends along the second longitudinal direction L₂, and the thirdmodulating electrode 106 c extends along a fifth longitudinal directionL₅. In this embodiment, the first longitudinal direction L₁, the secondlongitudinal direction L₂, and the fifth longitudinal direction L₅ aredifferent from one another. In some other embodiments, the firstlongitudinal direction L₁, the second longitudinal direction L₂, and thefifth longitudinal direction L₅ may be substantially the same (as shownin FIG. 8). In some other embodiments, two of the first longitudinaldirection L₁, the second longitudinal direction L₂ and the fifthlongitudinal direction L₅ may be substantially the same while one ofthem may be different from the other two.

In some embodiments, an angle θ₄ between the fifth longitudinaldirection L₅ and the first longitudinal direction L₁ may be in a rangefrom about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees. In some embodiments, an angleθ₅ between the fifth longitudinal direction L₅ and the secondlongitudinal direction L₂ may be in a range from about 5 degrees toabout 175 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle θ₄ and the angle θ₅each may include, but is not limited to, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees,145 degrees, or 160 degrees. In addition, the third modulatingelectrodes 106 c may all extend along substantially the same or asimilar longitudinal direction in accordance with some embodiments. Forexample, in this embodiment, the third modulating electrodes 106 c allextend along the fifth longitudinal direction L₅. However, in some otherembodiments, not all of the third modulating electrodes 106 c extendalong the same or a similar longitudinal direction. In some embodiments,some of the third modulating electrodes 106 c extend along substantiallythe same longitudinal direction while some of the third modulatingelectrodes 106 c extend along different longitudinal direction(s).

Furthermore, it should be understood that although the electronicmodulating devices illustrated in the above embodiments include two orthree kinds of modulating electrodes having different areas, theelectronic modulating device may include the modulating electrodes withmore than three sizes in accordance with some other embodiments. In someembodiments, the electronic modulating device may include the modulatingelectrodes with any suitable types of sizes according to the need.

Next, refer to FIG. 10, which is a top-view diagram of an electronicmodulating device 80 in accordance with some other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The electronic modulating device 80 shown in FIG. 10is similar to the electronic modulating device 20 shown in FIG. 3. Thedifference between electronic modulating device 80 and electronicmodulating device 20 is that the first modulating electrodes 106 a haveoblong shapes in electronic modulating device 80 while the secondmodulating electrodes 106 b have a rectangular shape in electronicmodulating device 20. In some other embodiments, the first modulatingelectrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes 106 b may have atriangle shape, a pentagonal shape, an oblong shape, a diamond shape, anirregular shape, any other suitable shape or a combination thereof. Inaddition, the first modulating electrodes 106 a and the secondmodulating electrodes 106 b may have the same shape in accordance withsome embodiments. The first modulating electrodes 106 a and the secondmodulating electrodes 106 b may have different shapes in accordance withsome embodiments. Moreover, the plurality of first modulating electrodes106 a may have substantially the same or different shapes, and theplurality of second modulating electrodes 106 b may also havesubstantially the same or different shapes.

Next, refer to FIGS. 11A and 11B, which are cross-sectional views of theelectronic modulating device 10 along line segment A-A′ in FIG. 1 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Some of thecomponents such as the signal lines 110 etc. are omitted in FIGS. 11Aand 11B to specify the structure of electronic modulating device 10. Asshown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the electronic modulating device 10 mayinclude the substrate 102 and another substrate 202 disposed opposite tothe substrate 102. The electronic modulating device 10 may include thefirst modulating electrodes 106 a and the second modulating electrodes106 b disposed on the substrate 102.

The electronic modulating device 10 may further dude a common electrode204 disposed between the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. The commonelectrode 204 may be disposed on the first modulating electrodes 106 aand the second modulating electrodes 106 b. The common electrode 204mass also he electrically connected to the driving elements. Thematerial of the common electrode 204 may be similar to the material(s)of the first modulating electrode 106 a and/or the second modulatingelectrode 106 b.

The electronic modulating device 10 may further include a modulatinglayer 302 disposed between the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. Insome embodiments, the material of the modulating layer 302 may include,but is not limited to, liquid-crystal material, a microelectromechanicalsystem (MEMS), other suitable modulating materials, or a combinationthereof. FIGS. 11A are 11B are only for example, and thus the actualstructure of the electronic modulating device 10 may be different fromthe illustration but still within the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the electronic modulating device 10 may further includesupporting elements 304 disposed between the substrate 102 and thesubstrate 202. The modulating material 302 may be enclosed or surroundedby supporting elements 304. The supporting elements 304 may be used toreinforce or fix the structure of the electronic modulating device 10.In some embodiments, the supporting element 304 may include a spacer, asealant, or a combination thereof. The material of the supportingelement 304 may include an insulating material, a conductive material,or other suitable materials. In some examples, the conductive materialmay include, but is not limited to, copper, silver, gold, copper alloys,silver alloy's, gold alloys, or a combination thereof. In otherexamples, the insulating material may include, but is not limited to,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethersulfone(PES), polycarbonate (PC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), glass, anyother suitable materials, or a combination thereof.

In addition, the electronic modulating device 10 may further include abacklight unit 402 disposed on one side of the substrate 102.Specifically, the backlight unit 402 may be disposed adjacent to thesubstrate 102 (as shown in FIG. 11A) or adjacent to the substrate 202(as shown in FIG. 11B). In some embodiments, the backlight unit 402 mayinclude, but is not limited to, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED),mini light-emitting diodes (mini LED), micro light-emitting diodes(micro LED), quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLED), quantum dots(QD), phosphors, fluorescence or other display elements, and it is notlimited thereto . In addition, the electronic modulating device 10 mayfurther include polarizing structures disposed adjacent to the substrate102 and the substrate 202 respectively, in accordance with someembodiments. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the electronic modulatingdevice 10 may further include a color conversion layer disposed betweenthe substrate 102 and the modulating material 302, or between thesubstrate 202 and the modulating material 302. In some embodiments, theelectronic modulating device 10 may further include a light-shieldingelement disposed adjacent to color conversion layer. In accordance withsome embodiments, the electronic modulating device 10 may serve as aliquid-crystal display.

Next, refer to FIG. 12A, which is a cross-sectional view of theelectronic modulating device 10 along line segment A-A′ in FIG. 1 inaccordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Someof the components such as the signal lines 110 etc. are omitted in FIG.12A to specify the structure of the electronic modulating device 10. Theconfiguration of electronic modulating device 10 in the embodiment shownin FIG. 12A is similar to electronic modulating device 10 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 11B. The difference between them is that thecommon electrode 204′ is patterned, and the backlight unit 402 isreplaced by a waveguide 502 in the electronic modulating device 10 shownin FIG. 12A.

More specifically, the common electrode 204′ may be patterned so thatthe common electrode 204′ may include openings 206 formed therein. Insome embodiments, the first modulating electrode 106 a or the secondmodulating electrode 106 b may be disposed corresponding to the opening206. In some other embodiments, the common electrode 204′ may have aring structure.

In one example, the waveguide 502 may be disposed adjacent to thesubstrate 202. In other examples, the waveguide 502 may be disposedabove the substrate 201 The common electrode 204′ may be disposedbetween the waveguide 502 and the first modulating electrodes 106 a. Thewaveguide 502 may provide or receive a wave for the electronicmodulating device 10 in accordance with some embodiments. In accordancewith some embodiments, the electronic modulating device 10 may serve asa liquid-crystal antenna.

Next, refer to FIG. 12B, which is a top-view diagram of the electronicmodulating device 10 shown in FIG. 12A in accordance with some otherembodiments of the present disclosure. Some of the components such asthe substrate 202, the modulating material 302 etc. are omitted in FIG.12B for clarity. As shown in FIG. 12B, a first overlapping area V₁ maybe formed between the common electrode 204′ and the first modulatingelectrode 106 a from the top-view perspective. Similarly, a secondoverlapping area V₂ may b formed between the common electrode 204′ andthe second modulating electrode 106 b from the top-view perspective. Insome embodiments, the first overlapping area V₁ is different from thesecond overlapping area V₂. In some examples, the ratio of firstoverlapping area V₁ to second overlapping area V₂ is in a range fromabout 1.2 to about 100, such as 1.5, 10, 30, or 70, or in a range fromabout 1.3 to about 50 in accordance with some embodiments.

As described above, the electronic modulating device 10 may furtherinclude third modulating electrodes 106 c disposed on the substrate 102in accordance with some embodiments. In these embodiments, a thirdoverlapping area V₃ (as shown in FIG. 12.3) may also be formed betweenthe common electrode 204′ and the third modulating electrode 106 c fromthe top-view perspective. In some embodiments, the third overlappingarea V₃ is different from the first overlapping area In some examples,the ratio of first overlapping area V₁ to third overlapping area V₃ isin a range from about 1.2 to about 100, or in a range from about 1.3 toabout 50 in accordance with some embodiments.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, thepresent disclosure provides an electronic modulating device thatincludes modulating electrodes that have different areas. The ratio ofthe number of modulating electrodes of different areas may be keptwithin a range so that the electronic modulating device can modulate theelectromagnetic wave with different radio frequency ranges. In addition,the modulating electrodes having different areas may extend alongdifferent directions in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the performance of the electronic modulatingdevice can be improved.

Although some embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantageshave been described in detail, it should be understood that variouschanges, substitutions and alterations can be made herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by theappended claims. For example, it will be readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art that many of the features, functions,processes, and materials described herein may be varied while remainingwithin the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the scope of thepresent application is not intended to be limited to the particularembodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter,means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the presentdisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed,that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

1. An electronic modulating device, comprising: a substrate; a pluralityof first modulating electrodes disposed on the substrate; and aplurality of second modulating electrodes disposed on the substrate, andan area of one of the plurality of first modulating electrodes beinggreater than an area of one of the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes; wherein a ratio of a number of the plurality of firstmodulating electrodes to a number of the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes is in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.
 2. The electronic modulatingdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality offirst modulating electrodes and a portion of the plurality of secondmodulating electrodes are arranged alternately.
 3. The electronicmodulating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ratio of the area ofone of the plurality of first modulating electrodes to the area of oneof the plurality of second modulating electrodes is in a range from 1.2to
 100. 4. The electronic modulating device as claimed in claim 1,wherein a radiation pattern is provided by the electronic modulatingdevice, the radiation pattern comprises a main lobe and a side lobe, anda difference of gain level between the main lobe and the side lobe isgreater than or equal to 10 dB.
 5. The electronic modulating device asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a signal line disposed on thesubstrate, wherein the signal line is electrically connected with atleast one of the plurality of first modulating electrodes and at leastone of the plurality of second modulating electrodes.
 6. The electronicmodulating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a commonelectrode disposed opposite to the plurality of first modulatingelectrodes and the plurality of second modulating electrodes.
 7. Theelectronic modulating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the commonelectrode is patterned.
 8. The electronic modulating device as claimedin claim 7, further comprising a waveguide, and the common electrode isdisposed between the waveguide and the plurality of first modulatingelectrodes.
 9. The electronic modulating device as claimed in claim 1,wherein a shape of one of the plurality of first modulating electrodesis different from a shape of one of the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes.
 10. The electronic modulating device as claimed in claim 1,wherein one of the plurality of first modulating electrodes extendsalong a first longitudinal direction, one of the plurality of secondmodulating electrodes extends along a second longitudinal direction, andthe first longitudinal direction is different from the secondlongitudinal direction.
 11. The electronic modulating device as claimedin claim 10, wherein an angle between the first longitudinal directionand the second longitudinal direction is be in a range from about 5degrees to about 175 degrees.
 12. The electronic modulating device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of first modulatingelectrodes extends along a first longitudinal direction, wherein anotherone of the plurality of first modulating electrodes extends along athird longitudinal direction, and the first longitudinal direction isdifferent from the third longitudinal direction.
 13. The electronicmodulating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pluralityof third modulating electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein anarea of one of the plurality of third modulating electrodes is smallerthan the area of one of the plurality of second modulating electrodes,and a ratio of the number of the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes to a number of the plurality of third modulating electrodesis in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.
 14. An electronic modulating device,comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first modulating electrodesdisposed on the substrate; a plurality of second modulating electrodesdisposed on the substrate; and a common electrode disposed opposite tothe plurality of first modulating electrodes and the plurality of secondmodulating electrodes; wherein a first overlapping area formed betweenthe common electrode and one of the plurality of first modulatingelectrodes is different from a second overlapping area formed betweenthe common electrode and one of the plurality of second modulatingelectrodes from a top-view perspective.
 15. The electronic modulatingdevice as claimed in claim 14,wherein a ratio of a number of theplurality of first modulating electrodes to a number of the plurality ofsecond modulating electrodes is in a range from 0.5 to 2.0.
 16. Theelectronic modulating device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a ratio ofthe first overlapping area to the second overlapping area is in a rangefrom 1.2 to
 100. 17. The electronic modulating device as claimed inclaim 14, further comprising a modulating material disposed between thecommon electrode and the plurality of first modulating electrodes. 18.The electronic modulating device as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising a signal line disposed on the substrate, wherein the signalline is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of firstmodulating electrodes and at least one of the plurality of secondmodulating electrodes.
 19. The electronic modulating device as claimedin claim 14, further comprising a plurality of third modulatingelectrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein a third overlapping areaformed between the common electrode and one of the plurality of thirdmodulating electrodes is different from the first overlapping area, anda ratio of the number of the plurality of first modulating electrodes toa number of the plurality of third modulating electrodes is in a rangefrom 0.5 to 2.0.
 20. The electronic modulating device as claimed inclaim 14, wherein one of the plurality of first modulating electrodesextends along a first longitudinal direction, one of the plurality ofsecond modulating electrodes extends along a second longitudinaldirection, and the first longitudinal direction is different from thesecond longitudinal direction.